Because of the Increase of Wickedness, the Love of Many will Grow Cold

    Matthew 12:9-14, “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of Me.  At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.   Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of many will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

   Jesus is telling His disciples about end times events. We know that as we get closer to the end times there will be more persecution and trouble in the world. People will continue to become more and more wicked. (2 Timothy 3).

   We see this every day as we watch the news and see more shootings, bombings, hatred, especially toward Jesus and people that love God and His righteousness. The scary statement Jesus makes is that the love of most will grow cold.

   What happens to us as Christians when we are assaulted or criticized?  Do we love those that hate us like Jesus did?  When Jesus was in His most distressing moment on the cross, He said “forgive them Father, because they do not know what they do.”  

   Jesus knew that most of the people He was praying for were those who woul ...